D4L Columbus
A new spin on HIV/AIDS awareness and Prevention
Every day more than 6000 young people between the ages of 15 to 24 get infected with HIV.
UP NEXT
So seriously, we are gonna rock the place on JUNE 17TH! That place being Wallstreet Night Club! We are kicking off pride with a bang and you have an awesome chance to stand up against HIV/AIDS and kick off PRIDE week all on the same night! A dollar off the door will benefit D4L.
COMFEST here we come! That's right! We will be dancing4life and we certainly invite you to check us out in the lineup..
DANCE4LIFE Columbus Does Fashion? We are considering putting together a fashion show for the "common man". Average folks will strut their stuff for awareness.
D4L in SlamJam 2009. Check 4us in the lineup.
HIV/AIDS in the News.
Shock And Kill' Research Gives New Hope For HIV-1 Eradication
ScienceDaily (June 6, 2009) Latent HIV genes can be 'smoked out' of human cells. The so-called 'shock and kill' technique, described in a preclinical study in the journal Retrovirology, might represent a new milestone along the way to the discovery of a cure for HIV/AIDS.
HIV/AIDS infection up among Gays and Bisexuals- Asia
Although the number of HIV cases from heterosexual transmission - which makes up the bulk at 54 per cent - has fallen from 255 in 2007 to 248 last year, the spread among homosexuals and bisexuals has spiked, rising by 16 per cent and 127 per cent respectively between 2007 and last year.
Young Adults Less Aware of dangers of HIV/AIDS- UK
Awareness of the dangers of HIV/Aids is decreasing among young people at a time when fewer are practising safe sex, a survey has revealed. Nearly 60% of 16- to 24-year-olds questioned thought they were not at risk of contracting the infection after having unprotected sex and 8% believed taking a contraceptive pill offered protection against infection. Almost 14% thought the fact that they were not gay ensured they could not contract HIV/Aids
Office of AIDS Faces $80 Million Cut Amidst Increasing Need for Service
California Progress Report
AIDS activists claim the governors proposed cut of $80.1 million dollars to the state's Office of AIDS budget, [revised May 26 by Californias Department of Finance (DOF)], if approved, would jeopardize Federal funding for the Ryan White program as it dismantles Californias network of agencies and programs that educate, prevent and control the impact of the AIDS epidemic for Californians at risk of HIV/AIDS.
About D4L Columbus
D4L Columbus is rapidly becoming an underground force in the Columbus community as the premiere advocate for youth HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. The group has grown as a grassroots movement in support of Dance4Life, an international organization that unites, inspires, and mobilizes youth to protect their health and each other. Through movement and empowerment D4L's presence around the globe has attracted thousands of artists, students, and communities to dance4liFe.
The Dance4Life Columbus movement was started with the intention of holding one main event for the organization. However, the groups popularity has lead to greater involvement in the community and opportunities to make a bigger impact on youth HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. Today the group has grown to include local photographers, choreographers, dancers, spoken word poets, and professionals in the community.
Links
www.catf .net Columbus Aids Task Force
www.tobiasproject.org Tobias Project
www.publichealth.columbus.gov Columbus Health Department
www.dance4life.com Your main source for dance4Life info
Every day more than 6000 young people between the ages of 15 to 24 get infected with HIV
With more than 12 million young people living with HIV and AIDS, constituting more than half of all people living with HIV and AIDS worldwide, it is clear that youth must be at the centre of the response to the pandemic and of all efforts to halt and reverse its spread. While young people can often make valuable contributions by themselves, it is crucial for local, national and international decision-makers to follow through on their commitments made to young people on the issue of HIV and AIDS. In order to ensure such accountability, young people need to continue to play an active role in challenging them.
We need your help! Now seeking the following:
Awesome is one way to describe us
Mark&Shannon
Cher
Rondale
Nick
Shayla& Latina
Artists Q/A:
Q: What does being involved with D4L Columbus mean?
A: It means educating people about the HIV/AIDS virus through your art and expression, and being committed to togetherness.
Q: How much time will I need to devote to D4L Columbus?
A:That really depends on whether you are involved with the D4L streeteam, main event, or both. If you are interested in the streeteam this will require more time and commitment. Plus this team is generally hip-hop, but either way D4L will need artists to commit up until late summer or early fall.
Q: Main Event? What exactly does that mean?
A: D4L Columbus is here to raise money for Dance4Life. We are holding small events in order to fundraise for our main show that will be held in late summer or early fall. This event will be the time that all of our artists and contributors come together to Dance4life. We will have all original ly written music (mostly live). We are
aiming to hold the show at the King Arts Complex. We are really trying go after diversity in the show so all dance backgrounds are welcome.
Q: Okay so how can I perform in the show?
A: First, you must audition for us. A video and interview will also work . Depending on your past experience and skill, we will either choreograph for you or allow you to put together your piece.
D4L Columbus is proud of the artists who are working with us. They generously donate their time and talents to the cause and add a truly diverse dynamic that is unmatched in the community. They provide the D4l Columbus entertainment but they also inspire and educate people around them through their art. What does it take to become involved? Simply start by auditioning with us or sending an example of your work. The D4L Columbus team will examine your work and decide if you are a right fit for the team.
We are looking for more then just solid entertainers, we are looking for solid people who are dependable, caring, and passionate. Art shouldn't always have to have a price tag over it. Sometimes the best art in the world is free because it comes from the bottom of the heart .
We hope you will join the movement because no matter your art, you have the power in your hands and feet to make a difference.
The D4L Team.
Contributors
Stephanie Matthews- Photography
Albert Markasky- Financial Supporter
Columbus AIDS Task Force- Ad support
Ohio AIDS Coaltion- Ad and Database support
CoverMe Productions- Financial and general support
Balletmet- Space donation
Columbus Dance Theatre- Space donation
Wynette Collins- Columbus Health Department
The Ohio State University- Space Donation
Matthew Swartz- Advertising/Marketing
Wallstreet-Special Event Support
Stonewall Columbus- SlamJam 2009
Jeni's icecream- item donation
Danceplus Ballroom- item donation
SwarmKids- Partners in protecting Kids .
Starbucks- Item donation
Wiseways-Item donation
Dance plus- Item donation
David's european skincare
Donatos Pizza- Item donation
Candle lab- Item donation
Chipotle- Item donation
Communications Coordinator
Mdennis00_gmail.com
DIRECTOR
Cbus4Life2009_gmail.com
Medea has joined the Columbus D4L group in February, in hopes of enlightening not only herself but the community about the effects of HIV/AIDS on youth. Medea currently works as communications coordinator and attends the Ohio Center for Broadcasting. She develops the groups press releases, serves a streeteam helper, and also the groups spokesperson. "I believe that the message of safe sex and abstinence is the best action against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. The more we are educated, the less we will panic".
Hannah Bezeredi began her work for D4l after seeing a highly inspirational documentary of their work. Her inspiration turned into a ambitious quest to bring the d4l movement to columbus and the team was launched in January 2009. She was the 2009 Runner up for the United Nations Population Fund Award for the Health and Dignity of Women and is an undergraduate student with interest in international diplomacy, relief, and peace.
Other Event Planners
Renee Suddeth- Community Outreach
rsuddeth_mchs.com
Kara Adkins- Sponsors
ukgal06_yahoo.com
Music Coordinator
Shareenainfo_yahoo.com
Choreography-Non Traditional
Rita_spiritmovesilluminated.com
Shareena Rhodes has taken her music minor from Otterbein College and turned it into a major application towards the Midwest music scene. After years of worldwide traveling in a live hip-hop group, she realized she wanted to do more with her God-given talents. Shareena started coordinating for non-profit organizations as well as events tailored specifically for giving back to the community. She now brings that experience, energy, and passion to the D4L Columbus movement. Shareena believes that through the self-expression of the arts, awareness can be raised and empowerment can begin.
Rita Carnevale's lifelong passion for dance has taken her from New York to Hawaii, San Francisco and St. Croix, studying Afro-Caribbean dance. She loves children and did a nine month long program with Americorps here in Columbus called, " Children of the Future", using the arts in conflict resolution with inner-city youth in 2004. She has facilitated movement classes as core faculty at Omega Institue in New York. She has performed with the Isadora Duncan Dance Co. from New York in the Red Thread Series in Columbus Ohio April 2007.
LOVE COMMUNITY= Main Event=AWARENESS PREVENTION
What started out as an idea for one great event turned into many. The D4L Columbus group formed in Janurary of 2009 and we began to plan our main event that would unite dancers and artists of all backgrounds to come out and support HIV/AIDS awareness. However, we had an epiphany. How can we raise awareness and prevent HIV/AIDS in a sustaniable and prolonging way with just ONE event? One main event would be great we thought, but a consistent commitment to our city and cause made more sense. We are still aiming to hold one MAIN event to wrap up our effort for D4L but as this is a grassroots movement these things take time.
We are still in search of the following:
Dancers
- Ballet
- Modern
-Jazz
-African
- Tap
-Hiphop
- ETC
( we love all forms of dance!)
Spoken word
- Pieces about HIV/AIDS that are orginially written
Instrumentalist
- All
Dream Big...you never know
Some of our goals for the main event include:;
- Raising between $5,000- 7,000
- Using all orginal and live music
- Booking the King Arts Complex and filling it!
- Raising awareness for D4L ( of couse:)
Dance4Life in the Community
News
Rain or shine! Outdoors or In! It don't matter because dance4life Columbus dances anywhere! We are on a misson this summer to keep things banging and raise awareness for HIV/AIDS. Keep your eyes and ears open for us because we are making the rounds in Columbus to get out the word and entertain . Join us at the following events:
- We are kicking off pride week with a serious bang! The D4L Streeteam and dancers will be performing at Wallstreet Night Club ! A dollar off the door will go towards Dance4Life and AIDS awareness and prevention among youth. Make the night a success by coming out to support pride and D4L.
- Dance4life will be performing in COMFEST. OH yeah! We will have the crew out to entertain and spread the word! More details coming soon.
- FASHION. Okay so did you ever want to strut your stuff on a runway or practice your zoolander in the mirror once or twice? Then...we are looking for you! Fashion combined with AIDS awareness is our goal and we know that HIV.AIDS does not discriminate and that's why we want the "average" man and woman to model 4us. We will mix it up with some professionals but we wan't everyone to lend a hand!
Got an Idea for a great event? Contact us at Cbus4life2009_gmail.com to make your stand against HIV/AIDS!
Auditions for Streeteam members is now open. Limited spots available!
Our very own Shareena Rhodes
busting a move 4 the cause!
Streeteam
Now searching for the hottest
Breakers in Cbus.
D4L Columbus is now seeking applicants for our Streeteam. As part of the team you will:
- Represent D4L Columbus in a series of performances around town. Stops currently include Wallstreet and SlamJam 2009. Additionally you maybe asked to perform in other clubs and venues.
- Keep it high energy for the crowd and attract individuals to our cause.
- Be part of our Ad campaign that D4L Columbus dances anywhere. This means that you will be hitting the streets to break and busting it anywhere.
-Be part of a photoshoot and documentary.
- Positively represent the organization and promote HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention through your art.
- Volunteer for us. We are all volunteers 4 the cause.
- Perform in our main show at your choosing.
We need dancers who can commit to performances and who aren't afraid to bring it. Applicants must meet with the D4L and auditon by June 8th. Limited spots are available so please contact us ASAP.
What the Streeteam is and is not...
In light of how Hiphop is often perceived, we would like to take the time to explain exactly what we do.
The streeteam is all about spreading awareness for HIV.AIDs and for Dance4Life positively at all times. We drop the beats and make it hype while keeping it audience friendly .If you see and hear what we do in hiphop then you would understand the immense talent it takes to mix or to freeze. We often forget that the roots of hiphop were pure and about the common things. If we drop the complications of drugs and all the rest, the underlining brilliance of hiphop is there. We want to recruit people to our team who recognize the flow and beat of some familiar song and feel it. . We want individuals with style and attitude but a positive one.You can still do your thing with us but remember what we stand for, and finally remember what you stand for.
Please Contact Cbus4Life2009_gmail.com for more info.
Interested in Donating to Dance4Life Columbus?
We depend on the support of individuals and local businesses to help us fund our events. All money that we raise for Dance4Life through our main event will go towards schools4life, an interactive intiative for students around the globe. In the meantime we need your support to help us spread the message of empowerment and education to the Columbus community and this takes both time and money. By donating today you can make a difference. We currently accept: Cash or Check.
Please make all Checks out to Dance4Life Columbus
Insert text here
LOVE COMMUNITY= D4L Columbus=AWARENESS PREVENTION
Thank you for visiting!
Cbus4life2009_gmail.com
All Rights Reserved Dance4Life Columbus 2009